Community Education - Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF), a local volunteer based non-profit fencing club, invites you to join and learn a competitive sport that lasts a lifetime! We are offering this opportunity for you to master the skills and techniques at your pace. It is designed to accommodate all levels of experience and skill level. Focus will be on learning the fundamentals and rules of Fencing, teamwork, sportsmanship, and most of all, having fun! All equipment is provided.

PRACTICE - Players will report to practice immediately following dismissal from school on their team’s scheduled days. All practices will take place at your home school.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Saturday, December 7th, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM at Willow Creek Middle School. After all classes have completed, you will represent your home school to compete in the Middle School Championship. Medals will be awarded and a trophy will be awarded to the home school that has the most wins on a point assignment basis.

Roster is limited to minimum and maximum of 3 to 15 players respectively for each home schools. Registration will be taken on a first come first serve basis not ability level. All players must pre-register in order to participate and will not be allowed to participate until registration has been received. Parent is required to sign a waiver form before student starts practice.

There will be a limited route late bus service available for students who need transportation home after practice.

Health and Safety

Fencing is an extremely safe sport.

Protective gear - All equipment provided meet standards required by United States Fencing Association (USFA), which is the governing body of Fencing sport in the U.S.A. Jacket, plastic chest protector, head mask are provided. Student is responsible to bring a glove for hand protection. Students are required to have all body part covered by clothing, i.e. no skin exposure.

Fencing instrument – Students learn to use the most common instrument, “foil”, for combat purpose. Foil are protected at the tip with rubber point or metal switch for electric scoring machine. Foil is made of a special type of steel, that allows flexible bending and if broken, the blade will break cleanly with no sharp edges to cause any bodily harm. Foil will only be used during sparing between two fencers in a bout when head masks are deployed. At all other time, the foil will be strictly controlled.

Face mask – Due to the nature of the sport, fencers are trying to get away from the opponent to avoid hit, that makes Fencing a low to medium risk sport.

RYF has been operated for over 25+ years under Rochester Community Education program and we never had a single incident that is caused by equipment failure or staff negligence. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for all interested student to learn a new competitive sport.

Financial Assistance

Families with financial need can request that the fee be waived for Community Education after-school activities.

Save Your Place in Line

If our online registration website prompts you to join a waitlist, please still register for the activity! There are often openings available. We may need extra time to communicate with instructors and students. There is no charge for being on the waitlist.